So, I relocated for work and It's a a smaller city city with about 57,590 people. The city has invested a lot in new development. Am I wrong here? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
14 upvotes
10 Replies
Ethan
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
39 upvotes
Aaron Cook
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The safety is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
38 upvotes
Noah
Saving this thread
33 upvotes
Serenity Watson
Moved here last year, no regrets.
32 upvotes
Isaac Kim
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
Nancy C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 47, moved here 9 years ago from LA. I've lived in North and Oak Park, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The cultural scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Oak Park: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from LA, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
22 upvotes
Jonathan Brown
Moved here from Phoenix about 11 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to cultural scene but No regrets on my end..
22 upvotes
Addison Edwards
Bought a house here in 2015 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
10 upvotes
dc_waylon
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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